Should You Cut Back Hydrangeas Before Winter? When It's a Good Idea—and When It's Not Pruning can be extremely beneficial, but only if it's done at the right time. Close Credit: Preappy / Getty Images Key Points Pruning hydrangeas at the wrong time can harm next year’s blooms, so it’s best to know your plant type first.Bigleaf and oakleaf hydrangeas bloom on old wood, meaning fall pruning can remove next summer’s flowers.Panicle and smooth hydrangeas bloom on new wood and can be pruned in late winter or early spring for healthy growth. Pruning is an important step in good plant maintenance, especially for hydrangeas. Now that the weather is starting to get colder, you may find yourself with a bit of spare gardening time—so should you spend it cutting back your hydrangeas? Or should you leave them be? In truth, cutting back your hydrangeas before the cold weather hits may seem like a good idea, but it can do more harm than good. Here's what the experts say about pruning hydrangeas this season—and how to set your blooms up for success. Lorraine Ballato, gardener and author of Success with Hydrangeas Ryan McEnaney, communications manager for Baylie Nurseries, professional gardener, and author of Field Guide to Outside Style This Is the Best Time to Plant Hydrangeas for Lush, Long-Lasting Flowers Should You Prune Before Winter? It depends, but it's generally better to wait. There are many different types of hydrangeas, and some will benefit from a pre-winter pruning, while others will suffer. The goal with cutting back is to "maximize blooms and keep strong stems to hold the flowers high," says Ryan McEnaney, professional gardener and communications manager at Baylie Nurseries. Here's a quick breakdown of the hydrangeas that you should prune in the fall before winter—and the ones you should leave alone. Bigleaf: These hydrangeas bloom on the previous season's growth. "They're setting flower buds this fall for next summer's flowers," says McEnaney. "Because of that, you don’t want to do any pruning in fall. Put the shears away if you want to see flowers!" Oakleaf: Like bigleaf hydrangeas, oakleaf varieties bloom on the previous season's growth, so you want to leave them alone in the weeks leading up to winter. "Only deadhead after it flowers next year," he says. Panicle: These hydrangeas bloom on the current season's growth, so it's alright to cut them back in fall, winter, or early spring. However, it may be best to wait just a bit longer. McEnaney recommends late winter or early spring: "The blooms are great for fall and winter interest, and provide a great haven for insects during the colder months," he says. Smooth: Smooth hydrangeas can also be cut back in fall or winter, and doing so can even help you get ahead before the weather starts to warm again. "Traditional smooth hydrangeas like Annabelle tend to flop throughout the summer, so pruning them back in fall will make cleanup much easier," adds McEnaney. Itching to get back in the garden? Instead of pruning, you can add compost or mulch, says Lorraine Ballato, author of Success With Hydrangeas. "You can also inspect the plants for fungal diseases that typically show as spots on the leaves," she adds. How to Prune Panicle and smooth hydrangeas can be pruned in fall or winter—but doing it the right way is important. Here's what the experts say: Panicle: Cut the entire plant back by at least one-third, just above the node where you see leaves emerging.Smooth: Cut the stems back to about 6 to 8 inches above the ground. Explore more: Garden Flower Gardens